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Definition:
Alchemy was a popular pursuit during the middle ages and renaissance, combining occult
beliefs in supernatural powers with belief in the power of empirical science and
chemistry. The earliest forms of alchemy originated independently in Hellenistic Egypt
and ancient China.
Although alchemy formed the basis of what became modern chemistry, one of its fundamental premises is that all matter is created out of one primal substance, an idea derived from Aristotle's conception of physics. If all matter is derived froma single substance, then it should be possible to reform one type of matter into some other type - thus giving rise to the alchemist's quest to turn various metals into gold. Other common goals were an elixer of life and a universal pancea.
Also Known As: none
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Related Resources:
Skepticism & Critical Thinking
This is the main index for issues dealing with skepticism, critical thinking, logic and arguments. The first section is Critical Thinking itself - how to think about claims and arguments you hear, how to critique arguments, and how to formulate your own arguments such that they are more likely to be sound and valid. The second section is about Skeptical Investigations - the practical application of the critical thinking skills covered in the first section. Here you will find critiques of things like astrology, alternative medicine, parapsychology, the New Age and more.
